Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator comprises: an inner case that forms a storage space; a plurality of fixing members coupled to the inner case so as to be protruding to the storage space, for preventing a foaming agent applied to a rear surface of the inner case from leaking to the storage space; and a guide rail fixedly-coupled to the fixing members, and to which a storage means is slidably coupled. Since components for slidably coupling a storage means to the inner case are simplified and an assembly process is facilitated, a production cost is reduced and a productivity is enhanced. Furthermore, the components for slidably coupling the storage means to the inner case are firmly coupled to the inner case, and a foaming agent is prevented from leaking to inside of the inner case, thereby enhancing the reliability of the product.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2006-0030234, filed on Apr. 3, 2006 and No. 10-2006-0099951, filed on Oct. 13, 2006 and No. 10-2007-0000775, filed on Jan. 3, 2007, which are herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator capable of simplifying an entire assembly process by simplifying a configuration to slidably couple a storage means for storing food to an inner case that forms a storage space, and capable of preventing a foaming agent applied to a rear surface of the inner case from leaking to inside of the inner case.

2. Description of the Background Art

Generally, a refrigerator stores food item such as meat, fish, vegetable, fruit, beverage, etc. as a fresh state. The refrigerator includes a body having a freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber, a vegetable chamber, etc., a refrigeration cycle unit provided at the body, and a door mounted at one side of the body for opening and closing the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber.

When the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber has a temperature more than a preset temperature, the refrigeration cycle unit is operated. Accordingly, cool air is generated by an evaporator thus to circulate the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber by a blowing fan. As the cool air circulates the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, the freezing chamber, the refrigerating chamber, and the vegetable chamber provided at the refrigerating chamber maintain each preset temperature.

The refrigerator can be classified into various types according to a method for circulating cool air, each position of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, and a configuration of the evaporator.

For an instance, the refrigerator may be a refrigerator in which the freezing chamber is positioned above the refrigerating chamber, a refrigerator in which the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber are positioned side by side, a refrigerator in which the freezing chamber is positioned below the refrigerating chamber, etc.

The size of the refrigerator becomes larger according to a user's demand, and various functions are implemented so as to enhance the user's convenience.

The body of the refrigerator is manufactured as follows.

First, an inner case having a storage space is disposed in an outer case having a predetermined shape. Then, a foaming agent is disposed between the outer case and the inner case. The foaming agent is hardened to serve as an insulating material.

In order to store food in the storage space, a shelf or a storage container is slidably mounted at the inner case. When the shelf is mounted at the inner case, food is put on the shelf. Also, when the storage container is mounted at the inner case, food is put in the storage container.

A storage means such as the shelf or the storage container mounted at the inner case that forms the storage space has to be manufactured so as to be pushed into and drawn out.

In order to enhance an assembly characteristic for the refrigerator when the storage means is slidably mounted at the inner case, each component and an assembly process have to be simplified.

Furthermore, the foaming agent of a liquidous phase applied to a rear surface of the inner case (i.e., a surface of the inner case facing the outer case) has to be prevented from leaking to the storage space of the inner case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of simplifying an entire assembly process by simplifying a configuration to slidably couple a shelf or a storage container to an inner case that forms a storage space, and capable of preventing a liquidous foaming agent applied to a rear surface of the inner case from leaking to inside of the inner case.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a refrigerator, comprising: an inner case that forms a storage space; a plurality of fixing members coupled to the inner case so as to be protruding to the storage space, for preventing a foaming agent applied to a rear surface of the inner case from leaking to the storage space; and a guide rail fixedly-coupled to the fixing members, and to which a storage means is slidably coupled.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective view and a sectional view showing a coupled state of a guide rail to an inner case of the refrigerator according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the guide rail of the refrigerator according to the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views showing a coupled state of the guide rail to the inner case of the refrigerator according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plane view showing a spacer of the refrigerator according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively a sectional view and a front view showing a coupled state of the guide rail and a fixing member to the inner case of the refrigerator according to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the guide rail and the fixing member to the inner case of the refrigerator according to a modification example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, an inner case 200 is provided in an outer case 100 of a refrigerator. The inner case includes a freezing chamber inner case that forms a freezing chamber F, and a refrigerating chamber inner case that forms a refrigerating chamber R.

The freezing chamber inner case and the refrigerating chamber inner case may be integrally formed to each other.

The freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R serve to store food therein.

An insulating material 300 formed as a foaming agent is hardened is provided between a rear surface of the inner case 200 and the outer case 100.

A plurality of through holes 210 are disposed at both inner walls of the inner case 200 that forms a storage space. One pair of through holes 210 are disposed at one inner wall of the inner case 200 on the same horizontal line with a predetermined gap therebetween. A plurality of the two paired through holes 210 are formed in a vertical direction with a gap therebetween. Two or more through holes 210 may be formed on the same horizontal line. However, it is assumed that the number of the through holes is two. The through holes 210 formed at both inner walls of the inner case 200 are symmetrical to one another.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a fixing member 400 is respectively coupled to the through holes 210 of the inner case 200, thereby preventing a foaming agent applied to a rear surface of the inner case 200 from leaking to inside (i.e., a storage space) of the inner case 200 through the through holes 210. One side of the fixing member 400 is protruding to the storage space, and a guide rail 500 is fixedly-coupled to the protruding portion.

A plurality of the guide rails 500 are coupled to both side walls of the inner case 200.

The guide rail 500 is fixedly-coupled to the fixing members 400 respectively coupled to the one pair of through holes 210 disposed on the same horizontal plane, and the guide rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to each of the fixing members 400.

A plurality of the guide rails 500 are disposed at one side wall of the inner case 200 with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the guide rails 500 disposed at both side walls of the inner case 200 are symmetrical to one another. That is, one pair of guide rails 500 facing to each other at both side walls of the inner case 200 are disposed on the same horizontal line, thereby supporting a shelf (not shown) or a storage container (not shown) each having a predetermined area.

The guide rail includes a rail body 510 having a predetermined length, a guide groove 520 penetratingly-formed in a longitudinal direction of the rail body 510 for inserting a storage means such as shelf, a supporting roller 530 disposed at one side of the guide groove 520 for guiding the insertion of the storage means, and a coupling portion 540 fittedly-coupled to the fixing member 400.

The guide groove 520 is formed to have a predetermined width and depth. Under a state that the guide rail 500 is mounted at an inner wall of the inner case 200, an opened portion of the guide groove 520 is towards the storage space. Under a state that the guide rail 500 is mounted at the inner case 200, a lower surface 521 of the guide groove 520 is formed to have a horizontal plane, and an upper surface 522 of the guide groove 520 is formed to have a horizontal plane and an inclined plane extending from the horizontal plane. The inclined plane serves to insert a storage means, and an entrance side of the guide groove 520 becomes wider due to the inclined plane.

A semi-circular mounting groove 523 is disposed at the lower surface 521 facing the inclined plane, and a fixing protrusion 524 is protrudingly-formed at the mounting groove 523. The supporting roller 530 is rotatably inserted into the fixing protrusion 524. A screw 525 for preventing the supporting roller 530 inserted into the fixing protrusion 524 from being separated therefrom is coupled to the fixing protrusion 524.

The coupling portion 540 of the guide rail 500 is formed at a rear surface of the rail body 510, i.e., a contact surface to an inner wall of the inner case 200. A mounting space 511 is disposed at the rear surface of the rail body 510, and the coupling portion 540 is disposed at the mounting space with a predetermined gap.

A wall having a predetermined thickness and height is formed at an edge of the rear surface of the rail body 510 by the mounting space 511. The end of the wall comes in contact with the inner wall of the inner case 200.

The coupling portion 540 is formed to have a hook shape. The coupling portion 540 includes a curved portion 541 curvedly-extending from the bottom surface of the mounting space 511, and a locking protrusion 542 protruding from an inner surface of the end of the curved portion 541.

As shown in FIG. 4, two coupling portions 540 are formed so as to correspond to the two fixing members 400 horizontally disposed at the inner case 200. A gap between the two coupling portions 540 is equal to a gap between the two fixing members 400.

The fixing member 400 includes an insertion portion 410 penetratingly formed at the inner case 200, a contact plate portion 420 extending from one side of the insertion portion 410 with a predetermined area, and contacting a rear surface of the inner case, and a locking portion 430 disposed at one side of the contact plate portion 420 for insertion-fixing one side of the guide rail 500.

The insertion portion 410 is formed to have a predetermined length, and has a sectional shape corresponding to the through hole 210 of the inner case 200. Preferably, the through hole 210 is formed to have a circular shape, and the insertion portion 410 has a section of a circular shape. The through hole 210 may be formed to have a rectangular shape, and the insertion portion 410 may have a section of a rectangular shape.

The contact plate portion 420 is formed to have a disc shape having a predetermined thickness, and an outer diameter thereof is formed to be larger than an inner diameter of the through hole 210. Preferably, the insertion portion 410 is protruding from the center of one surface of the contact plate portion 420.

The locking portion 430 is implemented as a coupling hole formed at one side of the insertion portion 410. The coupling portion 540 of the guide rail is coupled to the coupling hole. That is, the curved portion 541 of the coupling portion is inserted into the coupling hole, and the locking protrusion 542 is locked by an edge of the coupling hole.

The insertion portion 410 of the fixing member 400 is inserted into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, the insertion portion 410 is protruding towards the storage space, and the contact plate portion 420 comes in contact with the rear surface of the inner case 200. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the coupling portion 540 is fitted into the locking portion 430 of the fixing member 400 by pushing the rail body 510 of the guide rail 500 in a vertical direction.

Since the guide rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to the inner case 200 under a state that the fixing member 400 has been inserted into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, the guide rail 500 is easily and simply coupled to the inner case 200 and the coupled state therebetween is stable.

Since the contact plate portion 420 contacts the rear surface of the inner case 200 under a state that the insertion portion 410 of the fixing member 400 has been inserted into the through hole 210, when a liquidous foaming agent is applied to the rear surface of the inner case 200, the foaming agent is prevented from leaking to the inside (the storage space) of the inner case 200.

As shown in FIG. 7, a spacer 550 having a predetermined shape is preferably extending from the rail body 510 of the guide rail 500. The spacer 550 is preferably protruding from the rear surface of the rail body 510 with a rounded shape having a convexed middle portion. Under a state that the guide rail 500 is fixedly-coupled to the fixing members 400, the spacer 550 pushes one side of the inner case 200. Accordingly, the inner case 200 contacts the guide rail 500 by being straightened. If the guide rail 500 is coupled to the fixing members 400 with a plane state without having the spacer 550 at the rear surface thereof, a gap may be generated between the rear surface of the guide rail 500 and the inner surface of the inner case 200.

As another modification example, as shown in FIG. 8, the coupling portion 540 of the guide rail 500 is implemented as a protrusion having a predetermined shape. The protrusion has a vertical section having an omega shape, but may have a vertical section having an oval shape.

As another modification example, the fixing member 400 includes an insertion portion 450 penetratingly formed at the inner case 200, a contact plate portion 460 extending from one side of the insertion portion 450 with a predetermined area, and contacts an inner surface of the inner case 200, and a locking portion 470 disposed at the contact plate portion 460 thus to be detachably coupled to the coupling portion 540 of the guide rail 500.

As shown in FIG. 9, the locking portion 470 is formed at one side of the contact plate portion 460 as an opening having an omega shape.

The locking portion 470 may be formed at one side of the contact plate portion 460 as an opening having an oval shape.

The insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400 and the locking portion 470 are disposed at different positions from each other.

As shown in FIG. 10, a female screw thread is formed at an inner wall of the through hole 210 of the inner case 200 for inserting the insertion portion 450, and a male screw thread is formed at an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 450. Accordingly, the insertion portion 450 and the inner case 200 may be screw-coupled to each other.

The fixing member 400 is inserted into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, and the coupling portion 540 of the guide rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to the locking portion 470 of the fixing member 400. Herein, the contact plate portion 460 of the fixing member 400 comes in contact with the inner surface of the inner case 200. The insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400 is inserted into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200 thus to be protruding towards the rear surface of the inner case 200.

Under a state that the fixing member 400 has been inserted into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, the coupling portion 540 of the guide rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to the locking portion 470 of the fixing member 400. Accordingly, the guide rail 500 is simply and easily coupled to the inner case 200, and the coupled state therebetween is stable.

Furthermore, the contact plate portion 460 contacts the inner surface of the inner case 200 under a state that the insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400 has been inserted into the through hole 210. Accordingly, a liquidous foaming agent applied to the rear surface of the case 200 is prevented from leaking to the inside (the storage space) of the inner case 200 via the through hole 210.

Besides, under a state that the male screw thread is formed at the insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400 and the female screw thread is formed at an inner wall of the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, the insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400 is coupled to the through hole 210 of the inner case 200. Accordingly, the coupled state between the fixing member 400 and the inner case 200 is more stable.

Hereinafter, operation and effect of the present invention will be explained.

A plurality of fixing members 400 are penetratingly-coupled to the inner case 200 that forms a storage space such as the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R of the refrigerator. Then, the guide rails 500 are fittedly-coupled to the fixing members 400. Next, both ends of a storage means such as a shelf or a storage container are inserted into the guide groove 520 of the one pair of guide rails 500 coupled to both inner walls of the inner case 200. Herein, as the supporting roller 530 provided at the guide groove 520 of a guide roller rotates, the storage means is smoothly inserted into the guide groove 520.

Then, food is stored in the storage container inside the storage space of the refrigerator.

In the present invention, the fixing member 400 is inserted into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, and the contact plate portions 420 and 460 contact a periphery of the through hole 210 of the inner case 200. Accordingly, a liquidous foaming agent applied between the inner case 200 and the outer case 100 is prevented from leaking to the storage space via the through hole 210.

Since the guide rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to the inner case 200 under a state that the fixing members 400 are coupled to the inner case 200, components are simplified and the assembly process is facilitated.

Since the fixing members 400 are coupled to the inner case 200 and then the guide rail 500 is coupled to the fixing members 400, the coupled state of the guide rail 500 to the inner case is stable. Also, when the spacer 550 is provided at the guide rail 500, a gap between the guide rail 500 and the inner case 200 is prevented from occurring.

As aforementioned, in the present invention, the components for slidably coupling the storage means to the inner case that forms a storage space of the refrigerator are simplified, and the assembly process is facilitated. Accordingly, a production cost is reduced, and a productivity is enhanced.

Furthermore, the components for slidably coupling the storage means to the inner case are firmly fixed to the inner case, and a foaming agent is prevented from leaking to inside of the inner case, thereby enhancing the reliability of the product.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 

1. A refrigerator, comprising: an inner case that forms a storage space; a plurality of fixing members coupled to the inner case so as to be protruding to the storage space, for preventing a foaming agent applied to a rear surface of the inner case from leaking to the storage space; and a guide rail fixedly-coupled to the fixing members, and to which a storage means is slidably coupled.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the guide rail is coupled to the fixing members while moving in a vertical direction.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a spacer for straightening one side of the inner case by pushing is provided at the guide rail so that the inner case can not be wrinkled under a state that the guide rail is coupled to the inner case.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein through holes are formed at the inner case, and the fixing members are respectively coupled to the through holes.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the fixing member has a contact plate portion having larger than the through hole of the inner case and contacting one surface of the inner case, for preventing a foaming agent from leaking to inside of the storage space via the through hole.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the contact plate portion comes in contact with an inner surface of the inner case, the storage space.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the contact plate portion comes in contact with a rear surface of the inner case, an opposite surface to the storage space.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the guide rail includes: a rail body having a predetermined length; a guide groove formed in a longitudinal direction of the rail body for inserting the storage container; and a coupling portion disposed at one side of the rail body, and coupled to each of the fixing members.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the coupling portion is formed to have a hook shape.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the coupling portion is implemented as a protrusion having an omega shape.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fixing member includes: an insertion portion having a predetermined length and penetratingly-coupled to the inner case; a contact plate portion extending from one side of the insertion portion with a predetermined area, and contacts an outer wall of the inner case; and a locking portion disposed at one side of the insertion portion, for insertion-fixing one side of the guide rail.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the locking portion is implemented as a coupling hole formed at one side of the insertion portion.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fixing member includes: an insertion portion having a predetermined length and penetratingly-coupled to the inner case; a contact plate portion extending from one side of the insertion portion with a predetermined area, and contacting an inner wall of the inner case; and a locking portion disposed at one side of the contact plate portion, for insertion-fixing one side of the guide rail.
 14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the locking portion has an omega shape.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein a female screw thread is formed at an inner wall of the through hole of the inner case for inserting the insertion portion, a male screw thread is formed at an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion, and the insertion portion and the inner case are screw-coupled to each other. 